Green Housing Construction Projected to Grow

New York, NY, June 6, 2014 -- Single and multifamily housing projects account for about 45% of the value of all construction projects started in the U.S.in 2014, according to McGraw Hill Construction's Dodge Construction Market Forecast.

With that market forecasted to grow rapidly in coming years, the green activity and drivers in the market are critical, McGraw Hill says.

The new SmartMarket Report, "Green Multifamily & Single Family Homes: Growth in a Recovering Market," surveys builder and remodeler members of the National Association of Home Builders.

According to the study:

· 62% of firms building new single family homes report that they are doing more than 15% of their projects green. By 2018, 84% of them expect this level of green activity.

· 54% of firms building new multifamily projects report that they are doing more than 15% of their projects green. There is also growth expected--with 79% reporting the same level of activity anticipated by 2018.

· In the single family market, the most striking shift is in those firms dedicated to green building (doing more than 90% of their projects green). That percentage is already at 19%, and by 2018, it is expected to double (to 38%).

The study finds that builders and remodelers in both the single family and multifamily sectors report that the market is recognizing the value of green: 73% of single family builders (up from 61% since the last report) and 68% of multifamily builders say consumers will pay more for green homes.

"Greater consumer interest in green homes has contributed to the ongoing growth, leading us to anticipate that by 2016, the green single family housing market alone will represent approximately 26% to 33% of the market, translating to an $80 billion to $101 billion opportunity based on current forecasts. The findings also suggest that lenders and appraisers may be starting to recognize the value of green homes, making it a factor that could help encourage the market to grow if there is more widespread awareness across the U.S.," said Harvey Bernstein, vice president, Industry Insights and Alliances for McGraw Hill Construction.

The study also examines the triggers for green building activity. "This new study demonstrates phenomenal growth in green building, with more builders engaging in sustainable building practices than ever before," said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly.

"While growth in green in the single family market is driven more by high quality and customer demand, the multifamily market is more driven by cost factors such as the availability of government or utility incentives, as well as enhancing their competitive position and corporate image. All are compelling reasons for the industry to engage with this continuously growing market."